Container carrier package

ABSTRACT

A container package unit having an injection molded plastic carrier member including a plurality of integrally or separably interconnected polygonal retainer elements forming an apertured skeleton framework with the sides of the retainer elements, or inward projections thereon, snapped beneath top outward beads of associated containers to retain and support the same for transport as a multiunit container package.

United States Patent lnventor Herbert S. Bolton Chicago, Ill.

Appl. No. 889,500

Filed Dec. 31, 1969 Patented Dec. 28, 1971 Assignee Illinois Tool WorksInc. Chicago, Ill.

CONTAINER CARRIER PACKAGE 8 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 206/65 C, 220/232, 224/45 AA, 294/872 Int. Cl 865d 21/02, 865d71/00, B65d 85/6 2 Field oi Search 206/65 C, 65 CT, 65 D; 220/23.4,23.2, 97 B; 294/872, 31.2, 33, 99; 224/45.2

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS R24,333 6/1957 Poupitchn206/65C 2,822,208 2/1958 Then 206/65 D 3,086,806 4/1963 McAndrew..294/33 3,l 3 l ,829 5/l964 Masser 220/234 Primary Examiner-William T.Dixson, Jr. Attorneys- Robert W. Beart, Michael Kovac, Barry L. Clarkand Jack R. Halvorsen ABSTRACT: A container package unit having aninjection molded plastic carrier member including a plurality ofintegrally or separably interconnected polygonal retainer elementsforming an apertured skeleton framework with the sides of the retainerelements, or inward projections thereon, snapped beneath top outwardbeads of associated containers to retain and support the same fortransport as a multiunit container package.

PATENTEU [E828 l9?! INVEN'I'UR. Herberf 5. Bo/fon His A H'ys CONTAINERCARRIER PACKAGE This invention is concerned with a multiunit package ofcontainers, such as cans with outward peripheral end beads, arranged,for example, as a six-pack, and a carrier therefor in the nature of askeleton framework with multiple polygonal retainer elements having thesides thereof engaging beneath the container beads at peripherallyspaced locations for confining the packaged containers and for transportthereof.

An object of the invention is to provide a carrier for a package ofcontainers, which carrier may be conveniently injection molded fromsuitable plastic materials for economy and to facilitate the use of massproduction techniques.

Another object of the invention is to provide a carrier in the form ofsuch a skeleton framework wherein the several retainer elements may bemolded integral with one another between adjacent container receivingpositions, or the retainer elements may be molded separately with matinginterconnections along the sides thereof permitting the individualretainer elements to be assembled and interlocked to make up theskeleton container supporting framework.

The invention also contemplates the provision of projections or lugsextending inwardly from the central portions of the sides of theretainer elements permitting snap engagement of these lugs orprojections beneath the container beads associated therewith for supportpurposes, and material of the retainer elements between oppositelyextending adjacent lugs may be removed to form slots to enhance theflexibility of those adjacent sides and facilitate application andremoval of containers relative to the carrier.

The above and other objects of the invention will in part be obvious andwill be hereinafter more fully pointed out in the more detaildescription of the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a six container package unit;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of an integral form ofcarrier framework with one container shown in dotted lines;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 showing theinward projections;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation showing the carrier of FIGS. 1and 2 with containers included;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary schematic plan view showing locations of male Mand female F interconnections between separate retainer elements makingup a skeleton framework carrier;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary plan view showing an adjacent pair of separateretainer elements interlocked; and

FIG. 7 is a side elevation in the direction of the arrows 7 7 of FIG. 6showing a single retainer element with an included container shown indotted lines.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, and particularly to FIGS. 1through 4, a molded plastic one piece carrier is generally designated bythe numeral 10. This carrier is made up of two rows of three retainerelements 12, 14, 16 and 12a, 14a, 160, each of which is illustrated asbeing octagonal with the several sides making up the internallyapertured skeleton framework such that the inner adjacent sides of eachpair of elements are aligned along the center of the package. Adjacentsides between the retainer elements 12 and 12a, 14 and 14a, and 16 and16a are connected along integral longitudinally aligned portions each ofwhich is provided with a slot therethrough, as at 18, 18a, 18b.Likewise, slots 20, 20a are provided in the connecting portions betweenthe retainer elements l2 and 14, and the retainer elements 12a and 14a,respectively. In similar manner, there is a slot 22 in the connectingportion between the retainer elements 14 and 16, and a similar slot 22abetween the retainer elements 14a and 16a. These several slots lendflexibility to the connecting portions between adjacent retainerelements for insertion and removal of containers.

Inwardly extending lugs or protuberances, generally designated by thenumerals 26, may be provided at the center of each of the sides of eachretainer element. Thus, in assembling containers 28 with each retainerelement, the lugs 26 and their respective sides will be flexed outwardlyto ride over the container beads 30 and snap therebeneath in containersupporting position. The several slots between adjacent oppositelyextending lugs 26 provide relief therebetween for this flexing duringassembly of the containers with the carrier and removal of individualcontainers from the container package. The skeleton framework-of thecarrier provides openings 32, 320 between adjacent containers for fingergrip or handle attachment for transport of the packaged containers. Thedegree of inward extent of the lugs will determine extent to which partof the top surfaces of the sides of the retainer elements will underliethe container beads 30, or the entire top surfaces of the several sides,or a substantial part thereof, of the retainer elements may underlie thecontainer beads 30 if the lugs are omitted.

A modified form of carrier is shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 wherein eachretainer element 34, 36', 38, 40 is a separately formed unit which maybe injection molded and interconnected at adjacent sides of theoctagonal shape thereof to make up the container package, such as a sixpack of cans. For this purpose, the sides of each octagonal retainerelement are provided with alternate male and female wedge shaped lugs 42and slotted or recessed parts 44 as schematically illustrated in FIG. 5as part of a six pack or similar package. For further detail, referenceis made to FIGS. 6 and 7. A lug 42 projects outwardly from alternatesides of each retainer and is in the form of a downwardly tapered andside undercut wedge. A slotted element 44 projects outwardly from theremaining sides of each retainer element and is in the form of aprojection with a downwardly tapered opening and side undercut slot 46generally complementing a lug 42 but with slight inward shoulderformations 48, 48a at the top of each side of the slot 46. Thus, inconnecting adjacent retainer elements 34, 36 (see FIG. 6), a male lug 42on element 34 is threaded into the adjacent slot 46 on the female part44 on element 36 and a final seating pressure effects the slight snappassage of the upper edge of the lug 42 beneath the shoulder formations48, 48a. The same interconnection is provided between adjacent matingparts 42, 44 of other retainer elements making up the container package.As described in connection with FIGS. 1 through 4, the sides of eachretainer element may also be provided with lugs 50 projecting inwardlyfor snap supporting engagement beneath the container beads 30 ofassociated containers.

In the illustrated and described forms of the invention, the assembledcarrier and containers may be lifted and transported by finger grip orhandle insertion in the openings 32, 32a of FIG. 1 or in similarlylocated openings in the package of FIGS. 5 to 7 between adjacentseparately connected retainer elements. Lifting force is transmittedthroughout the integrally joined framework of the carrier of FIGS. 1 to4, and through the mating interconnections between the separatelyattached retainer elements of FIGS. 5 to 7, and in each case, thecontainers are supported by engagement of the lugs 26 or 50 beneath thecontainer beads or by central portions of the sides making up theoctagonal retainer elements. In the embodiment of FIGS. 5 to 7, theretainer elements may be initially assembled together as the carrierframework to receive the containers, or each retainer element may beassembled to a container and then this unit assembled with others tomake up the multicontainer package.

lclaim:

l. A container package unit comprising a plurality of containers eachwith a top peripheral outward bead; and a carrier in the form of askeleton framework including a plurality of polygonal retainer elementscorresponding to the number of included containers and each retainerelement presenting an internal polygonal container receiving openingwith pairs of adjacent retainer elements joined to one another atadjacent sides to make up the carrier framework with the sides of eachretainer element dimensioned to be flexed outwardly upon associationtherewith of a container and to snap beneath an associated containerbead in supporting relationship therewith,

and lifting grip means on the, carrier for transporting the packageunit, said framework being injection molded from plastic material withthe pairs of retainer elements integral with one another along thejoined adjacent sides thereof, and wherein the carrier material joiningadjacent sides of the retainer elements is vertically slotted forincreased flexibility therealong facilitating insertion and removal ofcontainers.

2. A container package unit comprising a plurality of containers eachwith a top peripheral outward bead; and a carrier in the form of askeleton framework including a plurality of polygonal retainer elementscorresponding to the number of included containers and each retainerelement presenting an internal polygonal container receiving openingwith pairs of adjacent retainer elements joined to one another atadjacent sides to make up the carrier framework with the sides of eachretainer element dimensioned to be flexed outwardly upon associationtherewith of a container and to snap beneath an associated containerbead in supporting relationship therewith, and lifting grip means on thecarrier for transporting the package unit, each retainer element beingoctagonal with lugs projecting inwardly from the central portion of eachside for supporting engagement beneath the beads of associatedcontainers, and wherein the carrier material joining adjacent sides ofthe retainer elements is vertically slotted between adjacent oppositelyextending lugs for increased flexibility thereof facilitating insertionand removal of containers.

3. A skeleton carrier framework for retaining a plurality of containershaving outwardly projecting top peripheral beads in side-by-sidesubstantially parallel relationship as a multiunit package, andcomprising a plurality of octagonal sided hollow retainer elementscorresponding to the number of containers in the package with pairs ofadjacent retainer elements joined to one another at adjacent sides tomake up the skeleton carrier framework with the sides of each retainerelement dimensioned for outward flexing upon association of a containertherewith and inward snap engagement beneath an associated containerbead to support the containers as a package.

4. A skeleton carrier framework as claim in claim 3, wherein theframework is molded from plastic material with adjacent retainerelements integrallyjoined to one another.

6. A skeleton carrier framework as claimed in claim 4, wherein the sidesof each retainer element are provided with centrally disposed inwardlugs to engage beneath associated container beads with the carriermaterial between adjacent oppositely facing lugs being slotted toincrease flexibility thereof in this region.

6. A skeleton carrier framework as claimed in claim 3, wherein theretainer elements are separately molded from plastic material andinclude interlocking male and female wedge means projecting outwardlyfrom alternate sides of each retainer element with adjacent sidesinterlocked by said wedge means to make up the skeleton carrierframework.

7. A skeleton carrier framework as claimed in claim 6, wherein each malewedge means comprises a downwardly tapered wedge and wherein each femalewedge means comprises a projection with a similarly tapered recess toreceive an adjacent tapered wedge.

8. A skeleton carrier framework as claimed in claim 7, wherein the upperedges of the sides of each recess are slightly inwardly offset asshoulders to receive an associated wedge in underlying interlockedengagement therewith.

1. A container package unit comprising a plurality of containers eachwith a top peripheral outward bead; and a carrier in the form of askeleton framework including a plurality of polygonal retainer elementscorresponding to the number of included containers and each retainerelement presenting an internal polygonal container receiving openingwith pairs of adjacent retainer elements joined to one another atadjacent sides to make up the carrier framework with the sides of eachretainer element dimensioned to be flexed outwardly upon associationtherewith of a container and to snap beneath an associated containerbead in supporting relationship therewith, and lifting grip means on thecarrier for transporting the package unit, said framework beinginjection molded from plastic material with the pairs of retainerelements integral with one another along the joined adjacent sidesthereof, and wherein the carrier material joining adjacent sides of theretainer elements is vertically slotted for increased flexibilitytherealong facilitating insertion and removal of containers.
 2. Acontainer package unit comprising a plurality of containers each with atop peripheral outward bead; and a carrier in the form of a skeletonframework including a plurality of polygonal retainer elementscorresponding to the number of included containers and each retainerelement presenting an internal polygonal container receiving openingwith pairs of adjacent retainer elements joined to one another atadjacent sides to make up the carrier framework with the sides of eachretainer element dimensioned to be flexed outwardly upon associationtherewith of a container and to snap beneath an associated containerbead in supporting relationship therewith, and lifting grip means on thecarrier for transporting the package unit, each retainer element beingoctagonal with lugs projecting inwardly from the central portion of eachside for supporting engagement beneath the beads of associatedcontainers, and wherein the carrier material joining adjacent sides ofthe retainer elements is vertically slotted between adjacent oppositelyextending lugs for increased flexibility thereof facilitating insertionand removal of containers.
 3. A skeleton carrier framework for retaininga plurality of containers having outwardly projecting top peripheralbeads in side-by-side substantially parallel relationship as a multiunitpackage, and comprising a plurality of octagonal sided hollow retainerelements corresponding to the number of containers in the package withpairs of adjacent retainer elements joined to one another at adjacentsides to make up the skeleton carrier framework with the sides of eachretainer element dimensioned for outward flexing upon association of acontainer therewith and inward snap engagement beneath an associatedcontainer bead to support the containers as a package.
 4. A skeletoncarrier framework as claim in claim 3, wherein the framework is moldedfrom plastic material with adjacent retainer elements integrally joinedto one another.
 5. A skeleton carrier framework as claimed in claim 4,wherein the sides of each retainer element are provided with centrallydisposed inward lugs to engage beneath associated container beads withthe carrier material between adjacent oppositely facing lugs beingslotted to increase flexibility thereof in this region.
 6. A skeletoncarrier framework as claimed in claim 3, wherein the retainer elementsare separately molded from plastic material and include interlockingmale and female wedge means projecting outwardly from alternate sides ofeach retainer element with adjacent sides interlocked by said wedgemeans to make up the skeleton carrier framework.
 7. A skeleton carrierframework as claimed in claim 6, wherein each male wedge means comprisesa downwardly tapered wedge and wherein each female wedge means comprisesa projection with a similarly tapered recess to receive an adjacenttapered wedge.
 8. A skeleton carrier framework as claimed in claim 7,wherein the upper edges of the sides of each recess are slightlyinwardly offset as shoulders to receive an associated wedge inunderlying interlocked engagement therewith.